Northwestern Steakhouse — Restaurant in Mason City

First of all, I'm here on business for 3 months by myself. When I entered the restaurant the waitress/hostess just stood there and looked at me for a while before FINALLY asking me "What can I do for you?". I couldn't believe I actually had to say "I would like something to eat". She looked behind me to which I replied, "Just me please". She says "well you'll have to wait upstairs then." I was escorted up a very steep set of stairs by another waitress who also seemed less than impressed that I was by myself. The wait was going to be at least 30 minutes. I decided on a Shiner since I had read that they had it in the reviews. I believe the review said something about "best steak ever for the price". Imagine my surprise when I was finally seated to see that the price for a steak was about $30. Let me be clear about one thing, I am from Texas... we do beef. When you tell someone from Texas that a steak is going to cost $30 it better be the best darn steak you've ever eaten. Before I ordered I could hear the waitress at the next table telling the people how wonderful the Greek spaghetti was and they were famous for it and that everyone should order it because it's SO WONDERFUL! I also hear them trying to order some kind of side dish like a vegetable. This didn't go well. The waitress basically told them that if they wanted vegetables this was not the restaurant of choice. After hearing all of this I quickly decided on a rare rib-eye with french fries and the side of spaghetti. This also came with a salad of choice so I went with the Greek salad with the house Greek dressing and feta. While waiting on my food I noticed that the walls were covered with paneling and there were cheap pictures hanging everywhere, not that I'm a snob but for the price of the items on the menu I've seen chain restaurants that charge less than half of the price of this restaurant with better decor. The salad was made of iceberg lettuce, which shouldn't even be inside the doors of a reputable restaurant. The Greek spaghetti "specialty of the house" was dry spaghetti with some powdered parmesan on top of it. I've had way better steak at Texas Roadhouse than this place (nevermind the Ft. Worth stockyards) and the french fries, which were probably the best thing delivered, were not cooked well and still had the skins. My bill total for 3 beers and a meal with not the greatest tip ever (only $5, and I like to tip big if warranted)... $53.00.... FOR ONE PERSON. So unless you are willing to overpay for a less than impressive meal. Thanks...

Luckily, someone had tipped me off that lines begin forming at 4:30 PM for this legendary Mason City institution. They opened the doors for the first round of seating right at 5 PM, so timing your arrival is key. I ordered the sirloin steak with a small side of Greek spaghetti and a Greek salad - and every single element exceeded my expectations. The Greek Salad was fresh and crisp, but the real standout was their homemade vinaigrette. It elevated the entire salad with its perfect balance of flavors. The Bread came crusted with what tasted like steak au jus - an incredible touch that had me savoring every bite. The Greek Spaghetti was absolutely unique and delicious. I've never had anything quite like their preparation, and it's clear why this has become one of their signature dishes. The Sirloin Steak was simply outstanding. Cooked to a perfect medium-rare as requested, it was incredibly juicy and seasoned with their famous Greek-style blend. The tenderness was remarkable - I could cut it without a knife! The combination of their special seasoning and the natural tenderness of the meat creates a truly must-eat experience. The Atmosphere adds to the magic. The classic building provides a wonderful complement to this memorable dining experience, with its vintage charm and authentic character that has been preserved for over 100 years. Northwestern Steakhouse lives up to every bit of its legendary reputation. This is destination dining at its finest - a place where tradition, quality, and hospitality come together for an unforgettable meal. Highly recommended! Pro Tip: Arrive by 4:30 PM to get in line for the 5 PM seating, or be prepared to wait. It's...

Ordered carry out. There was $6 off “special” on the petite fillet, so I went with 2 of them. The taste was exquisite, literally melting in your mouth. I went with the basic sides of salad and baked potato. I believe they also had offerings like rice and spaghetti for .80 extra.

I had been meaning to try this place for many years, but never got the chance, as it is tucked away in a residential area & not on the beaten commercial path. The food did not disappoint, but it is the quintessential old school, dive restaurant. This means there are no menu frills, no bar (yikes) and tight quarters. I sat in a booth near front door & had a glass of wine while waiting. Oddly enough, you can see a couple of small signs near the restrooms that mentioned Lounge. Must be an inside joke, cuz there was certainly no “lounge”, only a couple small tables and chairs (packed with supplies) in a dimly lit area near restroom.

It was getting near 6:00 and regulars were packing the place already, so they clearly didn’t need a lounge area. Expect good service, good food and drinks. You just won’t find a bar!

Update: 7/25. Owner responded there was a bar. Went back in on Thursday. I indeed saw a door leading downstairs to a LOUNGE. A server politely told me it was only open WEEKENDS! Huh?? Alleged owner didn’t mention this. Bummer, kind of wonky and misleading. Oh well, the steaks were great again. Had to wait in a booth for carry-out. Fortunately there WAS an open booth I suppose, cuz there is no waiting...